Pro Bono

Pro Bono At PLAYFAIR

At PLAYFAIR we are passionate about implementing the ideals of corporate social responsibility and social justice. PLAYFAIR’s team of Registered Migration Agents and Solicitors are experts in Protection Visas and work with some of Australia’s most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers. Approximately 5% of PLAYFAIR’s humanitarian clients are provided with our Pro Bono service.

PLAYFAIR’s Pro Bono work includes:

Visa application advice in the humanitarian stream

Representation at Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)

Australia-wide Community Outreach through information sessions for refugee community groups, service providers, case managers, counsellors, business groups and associations

Ongoing advice to not-for-profit and welfare organisations

Engaging in policy reform and advice to government and migration industry bodies

Some PLAYFAIR Pro Bono cases

A group of Afghan asylum seekers who were found to be refugees but refused protection visas on character grounds, resulting in potentially indefinite immigration detention. The Minister’s refusal was successfully challenged in the Full Federal Court. PLAYFAIR continues to represent these clients up until 6 years after they first arrived in Australia. A number of them have now been granted Protection Visas while the remainder are still engaged in the application process.

Protection Visas Granted – Ongoing Representation

An asylum seeker who was found to be a refugee in 2011 but was re-detained following a breach of the Code of Behaviour. His refugee status was subsequently re-assessed and refused, following which a successful application was made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. PLAYFAIR continues to represent this client in detention as he awaits the grant of a visa.

Success at Administrative Appeals Tribunal

An applicant from West Papua was granted refugee status in 1985 and despite being found to be owed protection, his residency status was never properly clarified. He was at risk of deportation despite having an Australian wife and several Australian children. PLAYFAIR is now in the final stages of resolving his migration status in Australia.

Preventing Deportation

Want to contribute?

PLAYFAIR’s Pro Bono service connects our most needy clients with appropriate legal counsel to aid them in their visa processing. A pro bono role with PLAYFAIR involves carrying out casework with clients referred by PLAYFAIR in Sydney and Dandenong.

PLAYFAIR provides infrastructure, resources and guidance to assist both parties throughout the visa process. When you volunteer with us on a long-term basis, PLAYFAIR will provide training and supervision.

Are you interested in offering humanitarian assistance on a pro bono basis? If so, the following qualifications are required: